Anxiety.

For most people, it's not unusual to be anxious when they are about to encounter something new.

Or someone.

In theory, coping with that kind of anxiety is simple. Be polite, dress cleanly, and don't be weird. Easy, right?

No matter how much you prepare, it takes quite a lot of experience for someone to get accustomed to new encounters.

Hikigaya Hachiman thought… no, he gaslighted himself into thinking it wasn't a big deal. It was just him meeting a fellow stinky gamer. He shouldn't even bother to dress up.

"Are you going somewhere, Hachiman?" His mother yawned, clearly returning from the toilet. Her disheveled weekend look was something he was accustomed to.

"Yeah," Hachiman said. "I'm meeting a friend for the E-sports tournament in Tokyo."

His mother squeezed her eyes, rubbed them, and then glared at Hachiman in disbelief. Let alone meeting a friend over the weekend; she was surprised that Hachiman brought up the topic of a friend, period.

"A friend?"

"… Yes?"

"And this friend of yours is from Chiba?"

"Niigata," Hachiman said. "We're meeting in front of Tokyo Big Sight."

His father, listless as he waited for a serving of late breakfast, immediately perked up.

"Ah, right. You won the preliminary rounds last December, right? Is the final today? Why didn't you tell us?"

"Ye. Komachi will probably re-stream it and react to it. If you want to watch." Hachiman said. "Don't dox yourself by calling me Oniichan, Komachi."

"I didn't watch the preliminary, but what was Hachiman's partner like?" The mother asked.

"I watched it. His partner was a faceless gamer, but probably a cute girl around high school or college age." The father enthusiastically explained. "No wonder Hachiman got hooked."

"Oi." Hachiman protested. "Just because you're an Idol producer doesn't mean you have the license to be a creep."

His father coughed from Hachiman's savage critique. The man was trying to be friendly and objective, using his experience as a seasoned… no, legendary Idol producer that raised a small branch into the second-biggest Idol production in Japan.

Nevertheless, outsiders of the industry could easily misunderstand, so he couldn't blame his son. "My bad."

"But is it really a girl?" Hachiman's mother asked. "Maybe you get scammed by a man with a voice changer."

"What difference would that make? We're all sweaty gamers." Hachiman scoffed.

"Well, if you did meet that girl through a casual FPS, there's a chance she's the legit article." His mother laughed. "Unlike MMORPGs, FPS is an unforgiving genre. You can't be carried just because you lack testicles. Yet a lot of Japanese gamer girls used it to date the top-ranked chads, but for them to meet these chads, they need to grind their skills and get attention."

"That is legitimately scary if true. If a girl likes me for being a sweaty gamer, I'd send them to a sanatorium," Hachiman shuddered. He really wasn't trying to score or have a girlfriend. Hell, his belief that they're friends was shaky as it is.

"Well, at least Onii-chan is handsome, even if he's gross." Komachi huffed, somewhat proud. "It wouldn't be weird if a cute girl has peculiar taste."

"Not to mention your high grades." His mother pointed.

His father added, "Or your athletic ability. If only you joined a club, girls will be all over you."

Hachiman's parents all nodded in agreement. Hachiman wanted to protest, but it was true anyway. At least his parents praised him as of recently, whenever he's done something out of the norm.

They had never done that until last year.

Hachiman hates the idea of superficial interest. Being romantically interested in someone just because they're getting good grades at school, an accomplished club athlete, or a famous e-sport star. That thought disgusted Hachiman.

He had enough trauma dealing with his superficial interest in middle school. Never again.

"Either way, keep informing us when you can. And if you have any difficulties, we'll help." Hachiman's father pointed his thumbs up. "And no matter if you win or lose, one thing to remember—"

"Hard work betrays no one." Hachiman cut him off with a confident grin. "I'm going."

Hachiman was hardly an e-sports star; at least he thought so. He never put much effort into raising his rank; he just worked hard to win his game and analyze his losses.

Naturally, this skewed mindset coupled with his friendless background brought him to the top of the ladder.

Hikigaya Hachiman had too much free time outside of studies. That was when he met his gaming partner.

The girl came to him one game, and after she added him as a friend, they started communicating. Then it spilled to DMs, and they started talking outside the game. Then they started talking about non-game-related topics…

And that's just the story of typical online friendships. Hachiman had never thought of it deeply. He always considers the nature of online friendships as shallow and fleeting.

He didn't attach emotional significance to it. But looking back, it might be the reason Hachiman felt he was being more honest online than he was in real life.

And for many people, it was the reason they got addicted. Unlike social media posts, where billions of people could see it offhandedly and dogpile you for having a wrong opinion, you're less likely to meet someone judgmental on chat.

If you start having disagreements, you stop talking and move on. That's what it means to have an online chat with someone.

For Hachiman, he couldn't really find a better way to socialize than online chat. That's why he never asked his partner about her social media account. Granted, his partner never asked about his social media account either.

But at least they exchanged phone numbers and LIME accounts. By this point, Hachiman was too deep, and it would hurt him if they suddenly disengaged from each other.

Hachiman texted her when he arrived at Kaihin-Makuhari station.

"I'll be in Tokyo station in 20 minutes."

So early! Hachiman thought he departed early enough, but it seemed that she decided to come even earlier than he did.

He panicked a bit, but then decided to take the JR Wakashio 20 express line instead of the cheaper JR Chuusobu local line. He was thankful he had unused credit in his IC card; no problem paying for a non-reserved seat.

Hachiman arrived at Tokyo Station in just 28 minutes, instead of 53 minutes.

"Sorry, I was late." Hachiman managed to find the girl in question after 5 minutes of searching.

"Ah? No, you're still quite early." She said. "Shall we go?"

No kidding. Hachiman planned to meet her 15 minutes before the promised time, but because of his change of train, they ended up meeting more than 30 minutes earlier.

As she described, she was a girl wearing a plain white mask, with black twin tails for hair, and wearing a brown pleated jacket. She was average height, which Hachiman caught off guard with because most of the girls in his school are on the taller side. (over 160 cm)

"Truthfully, I'm somewhat excited and miscalculated my travel time. I hope you didn't rush here because of me." The girl bowed apologetically.

"Rushing is probably too strong of a word, but I switched from normal train to express line for this." He snorted. "Don't feel guilty, though. It was a comfortable ride."

"I still feel guilty even if you say that." She told him. "Do you want to go there immediately, or do you want to walk around first?"

"No clue. If there's any place you want to visit, let's go there."

Hachiman wasn't even trying to be courteous. He just wanted to come off as somewhat approachable without hiding his bluntness. Since she was the one who proposed this meeting time, she must have some kind of plan.

They were still well over three hours until the event started. Even if they came 30 minutes early, that's still over two and a half hours of free time.

"To be honest, there is a place I want to go, but it might take too much time, and I don't want getting distracted before our important matches." She rubbed her chin. "Let's go to Odaiba first and play around the area."

"Sure."

From her voice, Hachiman could tell that she was quite aloof but confident. Although the way she dressed made her look like a dork, Hachiman had no doubt that this girl is actually a normie. Pretty much spot on from the moment he heard her voice the first time through phone calls.

The more reason he expected nothing more than gaming partnerships and being casual friends.

And so they boarded the JR Tokaido line to Atami, and then Yurikamome line to Toyosu. It took them 36 minutes, including transit.

"Alright." She pointed. "Let's go to DECKS."

DECKS Tokyo Beach is a shopping center in Odaiba. It focused on both general entertainment and niche interests. So a gamer from outside Tokyo coming there isn't surprising.
"Interesting." Hachiman smirked. "I didn't think about that place much, but now you mentioned it, I'm excited."

"Really? I'm relieved." She looked at him. "For a second, I thought you'd be disappointed."

"I hate crowded places and crowds in general. But if I like a place enough, I always go there."

Although, since Hachiman is a penny-pincher, the crowded places he goes to are, in order: Saizeriya family restaurant, Master Donut bakery, and bookstore.

"Like Arcade?"

No? Why would Hachiman ever go to the arcade?

"Hell no, that's just a waste of money." Hachiman said. "Rather than going to the arcade, saving money for the games you want to play is better, no?"

"Hmm, true."

Hachiman sensed a hint of disappointment in her voice. He wondered if he came off as too strong. But then again, he fully decided not to hide his rotten personality.

"But since this is a special occasion, why not?" Hachiman coughed awkwardly. "If... you want to go, that is."

"Ah, I didn't plan to go to a random arcade, per se."

CHAPTER 1 - OFFLINE MEETING, PART 1

Indeed. She decided the first place to go was a retro game store on the fourth floor. The place sold retro snacks and toys, as well as having a bunch of retro arcade machines. Most of which aren't even video games, but analog machines.

"Nice." Hachiman remarked.

"Are you sure you didn't say that just to cheer me up?" She bluntly confronted him.

"Uh. Not really." Hachiman said. "If you want to go to a modern arcade, maybe I will."

Although Hachiman thought that going to an arcade was a waste of money, a retro arcade at least has some novelty value. It wasn't something he'd go out of his way to find in Chiba.

Although Hachiman couldn't read her lips due to the mask, her eyes were quite expressive. Hachiman could tell if she was pleased or not. And she was quite pleased by his answer.

"Thank you for always being honest." She chuckled. "It's the reason I approached you… as a game partner, I mean."

"I try my best." Hachiman scoffed. "Thank you for not being too harsh on me, though."

"Why would I be?"

"Girls around me always call me weird and gross." Hachiman said. "I can't really blame them. Still hurts to hear, though."

"You keep saying this months ago, and now that we meet offline, I fail to see why they would think that way." She shrugged. "How were you like usually?"

"A very quiet guy with dead fish eyes."

"Ah, so that's why." She nodded. "I think if you talk a lot more, people would think better of you. Society always judges when you're too quiet or too loud."

"I don't know. People might think I am a jerk if I start being honest."

"True, but at least they won't call you a creep." She made two pointing gestures.

"You got me there."

To be honest, it was more that he felt awkward whenever he talks with someone he's not close with. Hell! He was very awkward when his parents started paying attention to him!

With this girl, too, he stammered and stumbled a lot the first time they talked verbally. But over a few months of knowing each other, Hachiman could talk to her normally.

"But really, I meant it." She said as she started playing random consoles after inserting her coin. "You never judged me for being a girl; you never asked my social media account or actively tried to dig my identity. Thinking about it, I'm always the one who asks first, including your real name, too."

"I think the internet is formed on the basis of anonymity, and that social media is the greatest mistake ever made in the virtual world." Hachiman chuckled. "People should share their private information only with people they trusted."

Hachiman trusted this girl, because she always introduced herself before she asked him.

"You did say that before." She looked at him. "But that's why I decided to give you my info, even my real name. Do you really not do anything with it? Like, try digging a little deeper."

"Why should I? I know your name, your number, email, and LIME. No one else in the world has that much info about me. And knowing too much about a person might ruin my impression."

"Did you at least try to search my name or anything?"

"Fuck no. I'm not a creep."

She looked at him in disbelief.

"… You really have no interest in me, huh?"

Why the hell did she act disappointed? Oh wait, did Hachiman actually hurt her pride as a girl? Hachiman was never a misogynist, but you have to admit that sometimes Normie girls are super indecisive.

"Again, I'm not a creep." Hachiman said. "The only reason I indulged you is that you treated me fairly, without fake niceness or being overtly harsh and judgmental. If not for that, I'd have had you on the block list a long time ago. We'd never join a tournament together, and we won't meet like this."

"We are here to game; the date is nothing more than a side quest."

This girl is different. That's why Hachiman valued her. And it angers him that she thought he had a different, less than Platonic motive.

But the worst part is, he was angry at himself because he did feel that she was special. She was different from all the girls he knew in his sixteen years of life. If he were to drop his guard even a little, it would ruin the delicate balance and resolution he built.

"In that case, I'll hold you onto that." She removed her mask and grinned. "Nice to meet you, Hikigaya Hachiman."

This girl is incredibly cute. Hachiman had a vague idea that she was pretty just from the outline of her face and her eyes, but now he had no question why she was worried.

One thing that weirded him is her sharklike, jagged teeth. It was a bit creepy, even. However, it doesn't tarnish her beauty much. If anything, it made her stand out more.

"This is why I don't like to show off my face to you at first." She said. "I'm a bit embarrassed with my teeth."

"They would be perfect to eat wagyu steak, so I am envious." He quipped.

She blushed a bit and punched him, though she laughed afterward.

Playing in this run-down-looking (on purpose) retro arcade had been a novel experience. Would Hachiman go here alone? Never. But at least, today's experience will be something Hachiman remembers for years.

And he wasn't exaggerating.

Although she was cute, it was a cherry on top of a cake serving. More than just having a Platonic date, Hachiman was glad he could waste his money and time with someone he found agreeable and willing to overlook his unpleasant personality.

A friend.

"That was fun." She grinned. "I hope we can go back here someday."

"Occasionally, that's fine." Hachiman said.

She mischievously looked up at him. "Just the two of us, right~?"

"If you keep saying sweet nothing like that, I'll fall for you. So careful with your choice of words."

Hachiman was honest with every fiber of his being. More than just this person being a cute and fair girl, Hachiman is a person who easily falls in love. And he wouldn't want to ruin this carefully nurtured online friendship because she sent a mixed message.

"Roger." She snorted. "But really, even showing my face like this is meaningless to you."

"It is not, though. A cute girl is a cute girl." He offhandedly responded. "Your presence healed my eyes and soul. I feel lucky having you as a date partner."

"That's not what I mean." She seethed in frustration. "You're not that bad-looking, either. So cut it with pointless praises full of inferiority complex."

Wait.

Does Hachiman suppose to know her or what?

"… Are we long-lost childhood friends?"

"Are you an idiot?!" She barked.

"Sorry, that was a joke." Hachiman calmed her down. "Are you some kind of celebrity?"

"Not a very famous one, granted. But at least one internet search wouldn't hurt, you know."

"Ah." Hachiman finally understood. A girl this cute—it wouldn't be weird if she had a social media account with huge followers. Maybe her pride was slighted because of Hachiman's absolute refusal to find her account through a simple search.

That was foolish, yet Hachiman could see why. In the first place, she played an anonymous account until they got to know each other. Only then did she begin to share her real identity, little by little.

If she were to play games openly, there would be a hundred, no, perhaps even thousands of creeps trying to catfish her into unsavory meetings.

Indeed, women are full of contradiction like that.

"But I guess if you did find my account, you might hesitate to meet me at all." She rolled her eyes sadly. "And I'm not being arrogant, but you seem to be the type to hesitate meeting someone well-known."

"See? You know me too well." Hachiman smiled. "At this point, I'm not even tempted. I'm legitimately scared to find out who you are in real life."
This girl nailed Hachiman's rotten personality to a T.

"I guess we deal with it when the time comes." She said. "For now, I'm just one random girl who happened to get past the preliminary tournament that is also on a date with you to kill time."

"That's my partner, alright." He gently smiled.

She blinked.

"Anyway, do you want to go somewhere to take pictures? Anywhere is fine as long as it's in Odaiba."

"Hmm."

And so, fast-forward to ten minutes later.

"Why am I not surprised?" She looked wide-eyed at the majestic giant robot statue. "Of course it's Gundam."

"Disappointed?"

"On the contrary." She pulled her phone. "Come on, let's take a picture. I feel like a sinner for not thinking about this place at all."

Now that's a girl with refined taste.

"Let's take a selfie. I'm very confident with my skill, you know?"

Whoa, be careful where you're touching, girl. Hachiman felt flustered when she intimately hooked his arm without even a moment of hesitation. Hachiman decided to focus all his senses on the camera, because it would be lame if he showed his turmoil outside.

"… Girls who told you look creepy are blind." She looked at the pictures intently. "Come on, if you post this on your Pweeter or Stargram, you'd get so many followers."

"Your photography skill is too good. Or maybe it's the filter." Hachiman rubbed his chin. "I might be handsome, but that looks unrealistically stunning."

"You say that, but these unfiltered pictures look nice too." She smiled. "I'll send you the unfiltered photos. Can I post this on my SNS account?"

"Sure. Just censor my face, please."

"Alright, shame about it." She winced. "And photos sent and uploaded."

"Are you... Akira-chan?!" Some visitors asked as they approached her. "What a surprise seeing you in Tokyo! I'm a fan!"

"Me too! Me too!"

"What a coincidence." The girl hesitated but calmly greeted them. "I'm here for this."

She pointed to the giant Gundam statue.

"The Gundam!" The male visitors shouted in concert. "Can we take photos with you? Please?"

"Together? Sure." She smiled.

And so she took pictures with these male fans.

"Can we take more photos, I mean, just the two of us?"

"Sorry, I will have to say no to that." She politely rejected them. "I'm sorry."

"Aw." They looked mighty sad but decided not to push it and settled with some autographs before leaving. They knew taking private photos with an e-celeb can cause misunderstandings, so they weren't too disappointed.

She looked around and for a moment panicked, because she couldn't find Hachiman anywhere.
Until he literally showed up beside her, like a ninja.

"Oh my God, I thought you left." She sighed. "I'm sorry about that. More reason why I tried to cover my face."

"Understandable." Hachiman didn't hold it against her, because she handled it well. If there were problems, Hachiman was ready to intervene.

"Well, I guess that is that." She grinned and gave him her phone. "Once again, I will be in your care."

On the screen was their picture, with his face censored. She posted it on her Stargram account.

"In Odaiba, going on a date with a friend. Censored his face because he's too pretty, and I feel inferior." #date #gundam #odaiba
-Sunazuka Akira

"Sorry, please don't take it seriously. I just want to make people laugh." She apologized.

"Fuck off, honey." Hachiman pretended he was mad, but he was more flustered and amused than anything and leaked his scoff. This girl really knows where to push.
The day barely began, and he felt exhausted, but at the same time excited about what to come.